Natural World

With Day Schildkret

June 14 - 19, 2019

Cortes Island

Slow down, open to wonder, and listen to the language of the land. Explore the natural beauty of Cortes Island and create meaningful and mesmerizing land-based mandalas. Use this artistic practice to connect to your inner child, the timelessness of nature, and the wisdom of impermanence.

With Michael Moore

June 28 - July 3, 2019

Cortes Island

Learn to kayak safely and comfortably as you explore this place of exquisite natural beauty. The 43-foot Misty Isles schooner takes you to a new destination each day to discover pristine scenery, fascinating wildlife, and remarkable local history. No experience required, everyone welcome. Limit of 12 participants.

With Bill Ophoff

July 7 - 12, 2019

Cortes Island

With birds and wildflowers at their vibrant peak, explore Cortes Island’s magnificent rainforest and teeming waters. Learn about the stars, the sea stars, and everything in between on this adventure of inspiring hikes, kayaking, beach walks, and a sailing excursion to Mitlenatch Island – the “Galapagos” of the Georgia Strait. Limit of 12 participants.

With Amos Clifford and Christy Thomson

July 17 - 21, 2019

Cortes Island

Sink deeply into the medicine of the forest. Combining Forest Therapy (Shinrin-Yoku) and the Way of Council, embark on a healing encounter with the more-than-human world, and gain skills for council leadership.

With Rupert Sheldrake, Merlin Sheldrake and Cosmo Sheldrake

July 31 - August 4, 2019

Cortes Island

Science sheds new light on many spiritual practices, including rituals, pilgrimage, meditation, chanting, and rites of passage. Explore spiritual traditions and reconnect with the natural world through singing, listening, looking, telling stories, thinking, and having fun. Rupert Sheldrake, PhD, biologist and author, is joined by sons Merlin, PhD, and Cosmo. Full bios online. sheldrake.org

With Jen Craig-Evans

July 31 - August 4, 2019

Cortes Island

Experience the magical combination of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) and yoga. Move fluidly with the ocean beneath you and feel the invigorating saltwater breeze on your skin. Guided forest meditation walks and SUP yoga evokes relaxation and empowers you to move naturally. Prepare to be humbled, and to laugh. A lot.

With David Abram

August 9 - 14, 2019

Cortes Island

Awaken your animal intelligence, shake your senses free from outmoded concepts and invigorate your felt experience. Through elemental encounters with the land, creaturely shapeshifting, and heartfelt conversation, open a new relationship between your body and the breathing earth. -- David Abram, cultural ecologist and geophilosopher, is author of The Spell of the Sensuous and Becoming Animal.

With Yarrow Willard

August 23 - 27, 2019

Cortes Island

Awaken the herbalist within and deepen your connection to the healing power of the natural world. Learn to recognize health and disease, stagnation, and flow as you sharpen your senses and build relationships with the medicinal plants, mushrooms, and seaweeds of the west coast.

With Oriane Lee Johnston and Kera Willis

September 1 - 4, 2019

Cortes Island

Being in the presence of horses rebalances us by bringing the energy fields of our hearts and brains into a state of coherence. Experience guided body meditations in the field, and enjoy up-close connection and joyful play with horses. Everyone welcome. Limit of 12 participants.

With Karen Mahon and Hollyhock Leadership Institute

September 1 - 6, 2019

Cortes Island

In these times of growing uncertainty, climate change, and social upheaval, it can be difficult to hold our centre and maintain hope. Explore tools to strengthen your capacity for cultivating joy, acceptance, and collective action. Foster the personal and community resilience needed to face these unprecedented times, boldly and creatively.

With Paul Stamets, D.Sc (Hon.)

October 17 - 21, 2019

Cortes Island

Save the world, one mushroom at a time. Fungi offer powerful, practical solutions to enhance both human and ecosystem health. Roam the wilds of Cortes Island and learn mushroom identification, easy-to-grow cultivation methods, as well as various culinary and medicinal applications. -- Paul Stamets, D.Sc., is a renowned, award-winning mycologist. The Star Trek Discovery series recently named a character - Astromycologist Starfleet Lt. Commander Stamets - in his honour.

Hollyhock sits on the traditional territories of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, Homalco Nations. We are committed to renewing our relationships with the First Nations peoples on whose territories we are guests.

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Hollyhock is a registered not-for-profit and relies on philanthropic support to help fund programming development, accessibility, and campus sustainability.